Bruener’s Success on Special Teams Can Translate to More Snaps at Linebacker

As a rookie, Bruener blossomed into one of the top special teams players in the league. He was so effective, in fact, that he registered 19 special teams tackles and earned PFWA All‑Rookie Team honors for his performance.

What eluded Bruener in his impressive first year was defensive playing time — just one snap. This season, however, his success on special teams could translate to more opportunities on defense. Despite the limited usage, the Steelers have every reason to believe there’s more to unlock.

Bruener arrived in Pittsburgh with a reputation for instincts and toughness — traits that often translate well once a young linebacker settles into an NFL system. His college tape at Washington showed a player who could diagnose quickly, play downhill with confidence, and hold his own in coverage. Those traits don’t disappear simply because he spent his rookie year carving out a niche on special teams. If anything, they’ve helped him build a foundation of trust with the coaching staff that many young defenders never earn.

This season presents a real opportunity. Pittsburgh’s linebacker rotation has room for a high‑motor, assignment‑sound player who can thrive in sub‑packages and early‑down situations. Bruener’s relentless style, paired with a full offseason in the system, positions him as a natural candidate for expanded snaps. If he continues to show the same discipline and physicality that made him a special teams standout, it’s not hard to imagine the Steelers giving him a larger defensive role — and watching him run with it.

Even if the Steelers elect to take an interior linebacker in this year's NFL Draft, Bruener's performance from last season should still carry enough weight to give him the leg up on the competition. Though the foundation of this group is currently led by veteran Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, the team has not fully established its depth at the position. That uncertainty opens the door for a high‑effort, assignment‑sound player like Bruener to carve out a meaningful role if he continues trending upward.